The gay rights group Stonewall's chief executive Ben Summerskill said: "Subject to the facts being as reported, it's sad to see that this sort of thing is still happening as it's been unlawful for five years.

"A major hotel company must be well aware they can no more turn away a gay couple than a mixed race couple, even though they might not approve of them either."

Spokesman for the hotel chain Chris King said he had yet to speak to the staff involved but apologised for the way the couple thoughtthey had been treated.

He said what he did know was that there was some kind of mix up with the bookings and there were no double rooms left that night.

"We apologise for the way they feel," he said.

He said he had offered the couple two nights free anywhere in the country as an apology.